Look: Rare Sharjah passport from '50s among UAE historian's collection

Emirati heritage researcher and owner of a heritage collections museum has been meticulously documenting and reviewing historical passports from the Emirate of Sharjah and the UAE dating back to the 50s. Among his remarkable collection is one of the rarest passports issued by the Sharjah government.

Heritage researcher Jassim Humaid Al Ali has assembled one of the most significant collections of historical travel documents that provide unique insights into the UAE's pre-union time.

His collection of historical travel documents provide unique insights into the UAE's pre-union time. Photo: Supplied

Jassim's journey began at age 14-15 in the 1960s at Al Muraqab camp on the Oman coast, where he worked as a reporter. “My beginning was from this place, Al Muraqab camp, which is the Oman coast. I was working during this period as a correspondent, and I had a bicycle. I took letters and distributed them throughout the entire camp,” he recalls.

Jassim Humaid Al Ali. Photo: Supplied

"What impressed me during this period were the British stamps. From this period, I started collecting stamps. But after that, things branched out, and I entered many things - documents, photos, maps, many things indeed,” Jassim explains.

Among his remarkable collection is one of the rarest passports issued by the Sharjah government. Photo: Supplied

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His inspiration came from Dr Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. “Sheikh Sultan, may Allah prolong his life, his collection contains very rare things, whether at the level of Arab countries, Gulf countries, or international countries as well. He has priceless things,” Al Ali notes.

Photo: Supplied

The collector’s museum houses over 8,000 pieces, including coins, books, manuscripts, and maps. “The acquisitions I have represent not just me, but my country,” he emphasizes. 

Among his most significant holdings are pearl diving-era account books and correspondence documenting trade between India and the Arabian Gulf.

Photo: Supplied

"These were accounts written during the pearl diving days. The captains (nawakhda) used to record the things they carried in boats or dhows. Everything is written here - which carrier took which goods, heading to which specific country in the Gulf states,” Al Ali explains, showing historical ledgers from the 1950s and 1960s.

The collection includes bilingual commercial records, with some merchants writing in English. “The trader who existed during this period used to write in English, so this account book contains entries in English as well,” he notes.

Photo: Supplied

Beyond commercial documents, his rare Sharjah government passports document travel routes “from the emirate of Sharjah to Bahrain in the Fifties of the last century.” One particularly precious passport belonged to his father, Hamid bin Ali bin Obaid Ali Al Ali, bearing official Sharjah government stamps.

Al Ali operates his home as an open museum, welcoming researchers, and visitors from across the UAE. “Researchers have visited my museum here and were honestly amazed by what I have. These things stored in cabinets need people to know about my museum. My house is open to any department from the UAE - they come, see, photograph, and write what they want.”

Photo: Supplied

Preserving these documents in the Gulf’s challenging climate presents ongoing obstacles. “The air conditioner can work 24 hours because of the humidity,” he explains.

Al Ali’s commitment to heritage preservation is deeply rooted in Sheikh Zayed’s vision. “Sheikh Zayed said that those who have no past have no present,” he quotes. “This is my heritage, the heritage of my country, and I wish from the generations that exist now for the next generations to look and see, and I’m an open museum.”

Beyond passports, his collection includes “many rare pieces, including a collection of antiques” - old pottery, spears, and approximately 800 pocket watches that he considers “one of the largest collections of pocket watches in the Middle East.” Most remarkably, he owns “the first cinema that worked in the Arabian Gulf.”

Al Ali actively participates in heritage exhibitions, collaborating with the Sharjah Heritage Institute during Heritage Days. Despite financial challenges — “a lot of money because you’re shipping the thing” — he remains committed to preserving and sharing these historical treasures.

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